Tweet
2011 Merit Award Recipients
 |
“I deeply appreciate this scholarship. In today’s economic times, affording school can be a difficult financial burden placed on an entire family. This is definitely the case for me. My entire family is grateful for this scholarship and its ability to assist me in furthering my education, especially because they cannot do it themselves. It has assured me that my hard work will be noticed by someone and it is well worth the effort. Thank you again for offering me an opportunity to relieve some of the financial burdens of furthering my education.”-Heather Wehrle, University of Maryland |
|
 |
“This scholarship is important to me because it’s a reminder of the good that can come from dedicated effort and hard work—that if you take the initiative to do something, the rewards that come back to you can be ten-fold. It’s the kind of attitude that can really take you places.” -Jessica Mangin, University of Pennsylvania | |
 |
“I have set many goals for myself during my college career in order to excel. These goals would not be attainable without the help of the NSCS Merit Scholarship. It means a lot to me to know that there are people out there willing to help me in any way possible.” -Madeline Walkner, The University of Iowa | |
 |
“I am humbly honored to receive the National Society of Collegiate Scholars 2011 Merit Award. It is quite gratifying to know that my hard and tenacious work results in something I may be proud of. College tuition is increasing every year, and knowing scholarships are available, such as the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, motivates me to work even harder in my academic studies. I feel quite fortunate, and would like to thank the people involved in the organizations that assist with philanthropic events, such as those sponsoring scholarships. In the future, I plan on giving back to the community, just as I have been helped to achieve my goals.” -Nancy Delgado, Baker University | |
 |
“The National Society of Collegiate Scholars Merit Award means so much to me! Although confident in my abilities and achievements thus far in college, I did not expect that my application would be chosen for this award. It was very much a pleasant surprise. Being recognized by such an amazing organization—consisting of scholars of such an amazing caliber—is quite an honor and a privilege that I do not take lightly. This honor not only reflects my hard work, but also the time and commitment that my family, community, and the Howard University Bison family have dedicated to me. Again, thank you to the National Society of Collegiate Scholars!” -Kia Byrd, Howard University | |
 |
“As the secretary of Montclair State University’s E-Board, I frequently talk with current and potential members about the benefits offered by NSCS. I often mention the abundance of scholarships for which students can apply. I’m so pleased that I can now give a personal example of how NSCS helps its members! I can’t thank the organization enough for this scholarship!” -Marguerite Bonadies, Montclair State University | |
 |
“When I received the notification that I was a recipient of the 2011 Merit Award, I was ecstatic. I thought of it as a blessing, and I immediately thanked God. It is no surprise how demanding college can be, and this award could not have come at a better time. I am honored to have been chosen as 1 of the 52 recipients for this year’s scholarship. It shows that hard work definitely pays off. It also shows that there is financial assistance out there. You just have to be willing to look for it and work for it. This scholarship will allow me to relieve my mind of financials so that I can focus more on my studies – at least for this semester. Thank you NSCS.” -Teiah Cook, University of Mississippi | |
 |
“Thank you for supporting me through the 2011 NSCS Merit Award. I am honored to receive this scholarship. I look forward to becoming involved in NSCS meetings and activities. Promoting academic excellence, serving our communities, and building great leadersare what the NSCS is all about, and I’m so happyto be a part of that. Thank you for choosing to invest in my future and in the future of other students.Your support of our education will help us to influence the lives of others for good, and will inspire others to pursue higher education. As I develop personally and professionally, I will welcome the challenges of new colleagues and opportunities. I am very grateful to you for your support, and hope that I will someday be able to assist other students as a mentor or as a scholarship donor, rendering honor to the trust invested in me.“-Daniel Chacko, Texas A&M University | |
 |
“This scholarship means a lot for me, because it took me a lot of hard work to get into Ohio State. It involved scrounging up multiple scholarships and taking out many loans so I could go to the school of my dreams. This scholarship gives me a chance to start paying back those who helped me. The fact that it is the Merit Award shows that my hard work and dedication that I used to get here has not gone unnoticed. I was always told that working hard and showing determination, respect, and dedication would yield results. And this result is excellent.” -Kyle Tolliver, The Ohio State University | |
 |
“The NSCS Merit Award is a welcomed blessing in these hard economic times. As a college student, every scholarship award is a greatly appreciated gift. This scholarship means that I can continue my education to become a future special education teacher. I plan to use this money to pay my tuition. I am very grateful to the National Society for Collegiate Scholars for granting me this money to accomplish my dream of becoming a teacher.“ -Brittany Johnston, Central Michigan University | |
 |
“I would like to let you know how grateful I am that I was selected as one of the recipients of the 2011 Merit Scholarship. This is a tremendous honor. I have just completed my first full-year of college at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. I am a sophomore now, and I am majoring in Information Technology (IT). I am currently an Honors Student at SFA and I am active in several student organizations. Your kindness and generosity is making my dream of a college education possible, and your gracious support has alleviated some of the financial burden of my education from my family.”-Shae Martinez, Stephen F. Austin State University | |
 |
“Immediately I received the letter stating that I had been selected for the Scholarship, my heart leapt for joy. I cannot explain the elation and excitement I feel as a recipient of an award from such a prestigious society, especially as an International Student with relatively high fees. I thank the NSCS for their continual efforts in providing hosts of opportunities to its members, and I can proudly say I am a beneficiary of their benevolence. Up NSCS!” -Frederick Ikpatt, The State University of New York at Stony Brook | |
 |
“I have always told people that I have been born without a talent, and I have never felt that I excel at anything. I was never the child who won the MVP trophy for volleyball, or the blue ribbon at the science fair. I could never compete with my brother’s natural skill in art, and I dreaded piano lessons because I could never understand the notes in my lesson book. After receiving the 2011 Merit Award Scholarship, I realize that I do have a talent, and that talent is being a hard worker. Even if I am not naturally skilled at a certain task or activity, I always strive to achieve my goals in the best way I can. Through this award, I feel that I am finally being recognized for the effort I always put into achieving excellence.” -Olivia Larson, University of Central Florida | |
 |
“I cannot express in words how much receiving the Merit Award means to me. With being a full-time student and having a job, this scholarship is much appreciated. Many students believe going above and beyond academic expectations is pointless, but I am proof that going the extra mile is well worth it. Thank you for your generosity!” -Kelly Griffith, University of Mary Washington | |
 |
“This scholarship means so much to me. It proves to me that I have what it takes to make a difference for myself and my community. My hard work and dedication to academics has proven itself, and now it will be easier for me to pay my tuition. Each step is an accomplishment. To me, this step is one that opens more doors for me in the future. Already, my hard work is paying off. I really need every dollar I make and get awarded, so this scholarship something to be proud of. Thank you, NSCS, for giving me the opportunity to make college a little easier on my bank account.” – Wassi Shaikh, Wayne State University | |
 |
“I am writing to thank you for the scholarship award, and I appreciate your generosity. This scholarship award brings me closer to achieving my goals and living my dreams. I look forward to graduation as I continue working toward my bachelor’s degree in Mathematics at Loyola Marymount University.” – Vadim Pigrish, Loyola Marymount University | |
 |
“I cannot explain how appreciative I am of winning NSCS’s Merit Award. I became a National Society Collegiate Scholar last winter and the experience has been wonderful thus far. I am so pleased with all the scholarships you have to offer members and enjoy the ability to help my campus through your program. I worked really hard on my response essays for the Merit Award and am glad to see the hard work paid off. It is a great feeling knowing that I’ll have additional money to help pay for my college. This whole experience has taught me to continue to work hard because in the end it really does pay off! I look forward to working with my schools NSCS committee and applying for more scholarships you have to offer in the future. I cannot thank you enough for your help with my college funding and choosing me as a Merit Award recipient.” -Barbara Nichols, Columbia College Chicago | |
 |
“I am tremendously grateful to receive the 2011 Merit Award Scholarship. It is going to bring me one step closer to accomplishing my goals and attaining my dreams. As a sophomore at CMU studying Fashion Design and Merchandising, I now have the opportunity to broaden my education and travel to places where I can learn firsthand, from industries themselves. This scholarship means that I can get the most out of my educational experience allowing me to be the best designer that I can potentially be. The 2011 Merit Award is confirmation that hard work can have benefits, and I will continue to work my hardest at everything I set out to do.” -Janita Williams, Central Michigan University | |
 |
“Receiving the 2011 Merit Scholarship is such an honor! I am an out-of-state student struggling to make ends meet and this gift of support is a huge help. Winning this award is so encouraging and has increased my excitement and appreciation for the opportunities that my membership in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars will provide!” -Emma Alley, Florida State University | |
 |
“Thank you so much for this scholarship! This award will help me cover some expenses for this academic year and allow me to keep focusing on my academics and extracurricular activities. It is an honor to have been selected to receive this recognition. The National Society of Collegiate Scholars is a great organization for talented students to network and take part in opportunities like internships and scholarships. Thank you again for the award I look forward to further opportunities with NSCS.” –Emilia Gyoerk, University of South Florida | |
 |
“Many scholarship essays and letter of recommendation requests later, I finally feel recognized for my hard work and dedication to my schoolwork. I am so glad I joined NSCS and hope many others can take advantage of the resources the institution offers. The money will be very helpful as I pay for expensive architecture supplies throughout the next few years. Thank you, NSCS, for giving me more peace of mind and also access to great opportunities such as this scholarship!” –Angela Claeys, University of Tennessee at Knoxville | |
 |
“I would like to sincerely thank you for selecting me as one of the recipients of the 2011 Merit Award. I can assure you that your generosity will not go to waste.. This scholarship will help to lessen some of the financial burdens and stresses associated with school. I was happy to be given the opportunity to apply for a variety of different NSCS scholarships, and I never expected to be chosen from amongst the hundreds of different Chapters.. I do not doubt that a great number of my peers were equally deserving of this award, which is why I would like to stress the fact that I am honored to be chosen as one of the recipients. I can assure you that your scholarship is a great help and will contribute to my continued success at Montclair State University.” –Kirstie Senese, Montclair State University | |
 |
“The National Society of Collegiate Scholars has enriched my undergraduate experience and directed me down the path of academic success. The platform that NSCS afforded me has been life-changing since it has provided me with opportunities to apply my knowledge and inspired me to strive for excellence. Furthermore, it has financially rewarded my efforts through the Merit Scholarship. This scholarship will take me one step closer toward my educational goals and lighten my financial burden.NSCS has given me a great advantage in this competitive world for which I will be forever grateful by becoming an effective ambassador who inspires other eligible students to join.” –Mariam Saifee, University of South Florida | |
 |
“My name is Sally Chen and I am excited to be receiving the Merit Award Scholarship. This is my sophomore year and it is also my busiest year. I am a rather independent child; therefore this scholarship means a lot to me. I try to support myself financially as much as I can without asking my parents for money. This scholarship will lift some weight off of my shoulders. Now I can use this scholarship to apply for beneficial programs so that I can engage in my undergraduate studies and further advance my experiences. I have applied for a study abroad program and the application fees gave me problems. This scholarship showed me that I can accomplish a lot by trying. I was hesitant in applying for this award in the beginning because I thought I would not get it. Receiving this scholarship showed me that if I work hard, I can achieve anything. It makes me proud of myself to be labeled as an outstanding student.” –Sally Chen, Stony Brook University | |
 |
“I’m very honored to have been selected as one of this year’s recipients of the Merit Award! Opportunities such as this one through NSCS to further my education mean a lot to me, as it can be challenging to meet all of the expenses that college entails. To me, receiving this award is a reminder of the value of hard work, and the importance of pursuing one’s goals. It inspires me to continue striving for excellence through NSCS, as well as in all other areas of my academic career.” –Katherine Kroll, Colorado State University | |
 |
“Earning this scholarship means quite a lot to me, and will be very helpful in paying for my education. This is a great blessing, and I am incredibly thankful to those who dedicated money to these scholarships. Thank you, you have helped me so much.” –Laura Lundstrom, University of Minnestoa, Twin Cities | |
 |
“Receiving the Merit Award means a lot to me, more than I know how to put into words. I’m honored to be one of only 52 chosen among all that applied. I’m grateful for this award which, beyond its contribution to my education, is a lasting recognition of the highest class. But more than that, I’m grateful for the confidence it has given me. This is the first scholarship I have received, and it has shown me that I am a capable person. It’s served to strengthen my belief in myself and my abilities, affirm the importance of what I have achieved, what I am doing, and what I aspire to, and remind me that you need to persevere in the face of disappointment if you want to succeed.” -Atanas Kirilov, University of Washington | |
 |
“Receiving the 2011 NSCS Merit Award means that my family and I will be able to take out fewer loans next semester. I’m glad that I am able to contribute to the cost of my education and thankful that the National Society of Collegiate Scholars recognizes and rewards its members based on merit. Rather than piling up loans, with scholarships like this one I will be able graduate from college with less debt, less stress, and a brighter outlook on the future.” –Rose O’Connell Marion, Boston University | |
 |
“I am incredibly glad to accept this award; this ‘Merit Scholarship’ is a motivation for me to keep working hard and strive to achieve academic and personal success not only during my undergraduate career, but also, after graduation. I am very grateful for all the resources and assistance our NSCS chapter has provided me here at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I am now more confident in pursuing my educational and individual goals at this university since I know I can obtain pleasant results if I dedicate my time and effort into my endeavors. I plan to become more involved, active, and engaged in my community, and overall do my best to become a great art historian and artist.” –Hasabie Kidanu, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | |
 |
“It is a great honor for me to be a recipient of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars Merit Award. When I received the e-mail stating that I was chosen as one of the recipients, I was exhilarated. Apart from helping to defray the financial cost of my education, it also served as a source of fulfillment and great joy to realize that I have been able to achieve such a great feat. This is undoubtedly a great accomplishment and an invigorating ingredient to continue to strive for academic integrity, leadership and service.” -Abdullahi Giwa, Wayne State University | |
 |
“I am very honored to have been selected as a recipient of the 2011 NSCS Merit Award. To me, this scholarship symbolizes the amount of effort I have placed into all my endeavors, whether they are academic, extracurricular, or personal. It is nice to receive an award for my hard work and I am pleased to be among other students who are also recognized for their merits. However, the work does not end here- I will continue to strive for success and this scholarship is a reminder to keep doing so. Thank you NSCS!” –Olivia Thomas, University of Washington | |
 |
“I feel very honored to have received the NSCS Merit Award. This scholarship not only helps to reduce the financial burden of College, but also boosts my confidence and strengthens my determination to be the best I can be. It feels good to know that my academic and leadership endeavors are not going unrecognized. I am most grateful and hope that I can someday financially contribute to someone’s education the way the donors of this scholarship have contributed to mine.” –Chidera Okafor, University of Delaware | |
 |
“I am truly honored to have been selected to receive the Merit Award Scholarship. It is such a privilege to be chosen as a recipient of an award from such a prestigious association. In addition to the multiple benefits associated with being a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, including leadership and service opportunities, I was thrilled to have additional scholarship opportunities. I truly appreciate the opportunity to apply for these scholarships because any additional money to help pay for my educational costs helps immensely. I was so excited to receive this money as it will help lessen the cost of my school, and thus I can direct my attention more towards my schoolwork and other volunteering activities.”–Erin Whitbread, Washington State University | |
 |
“This scholarship means so much to me because it means less worrying for my family about where money is going to come from for books and fees for the next semester. I have applied for quite a few scholarships in the past and haven’t won any, so I am so excited to have been recognized for something. This scholarship proved to me that hard work does pay off. I’m so blessed and excited. Thank you!” –Tori Braudaway, Northern Arizona University | |
 |
“I feel extremely fortunate to be a recipient of the 2011 NSCS Merit Award. This scholarship is an tremendous honor that will continue to fuel hard work and perseverance. I thank the National Society of Collegiate Scholars for their support, and I appreciate the opportunities that this generous gift has opened for me.” –Xiao Wang, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | |
 |
“I would first like to say how eternally grateful I am for this scholarship. I am a junior at SUNY Albany where I was recently inducted into NSCS. NSCS has offered me so many amazing opportunities and I would strongly recommend those of you who are thinking of joining it to do it! I have never won a scholarship before which makes this one even more special. I have only been a member of NSCS for a short time and yet I have already won a scholarship, made new friends, and grown as a student…I cannot wait to see what future surprises NSCS has for me!” –Alora Sansola, State University of New York at Albany | |
 |
“Being awarded with the Merit Award for 2011 is a great privilege and to be one of the recipients of this year’s award is very gratifying. This scholarship is a physical representation, not only to myself but also to my parents, teachers, and future employees, that represents my willingness to go the extra mile and perfect my assignments to the best of my abilities. In winning this, I am proving to myself that I can do it and that with hard work comes well-earned rewards. In short, this award simply helps me prove to myself that my hard work and perseverance throughout the year aren’t going to waste. The Merit Award scholarship that I just received will help me in the future and remind me of what my true potential is and, hopefully, earning this award will be a source of mental motivation when the going gets tough. Thank you for choosing me as one of the recipients for the 2011 Merit Award. My family and I are very grateful to receive this award and I am very enthusiastic about it! Thank you NSCS.” –Patrick O’Keeffe, North Dakota State University | |
 |
“I can’t explain how grateful I am to my parents that they are willing to put me through one of the most expensive colleges in the country. The congratulatory email I received to let me know I was selected as a recipient 2011 Merit Award was unexpected, but incredibly welcome; I like knowing that I’m doing something to help contribute to the financial burden my education has provided. Suffice to say, I also feel pretty smart about my decision to pay the dues to join NSCS last year.” –Jaclyn Willner, Columbia University | |
 |
“I am beyond excited to be a recipient of the 2011 NSCS Merit Scholarship Award! I have always strived to work to the best of my ability, both at school and in my community. Winning the award brings me another step closer to realizing my goals at college, perhaps even my dream of studying abroad! This experience has helped remind me that I’m on the right track for success and it has given me even more motivation to keep up all my hard work. Thank you so much NSCS!” –Meghan Dougherty, Montclair State University | |
 |
“I am very excited to have been one of the winners of the Merit Award Scholarship. Throughout my childhood, the importance of getting accepted to a good college was constantly emphasized. However, what my parents “forgot” to mention was that acceptance was not the actual issue, paying for it was! What is fantastic about the National Society for Collegiate Scholars is that they offer their members several opportunities to make financing college a little bit less stressful. I am truly grateful to be a 2011 recipient of the Merit Award and I highly recommend that new members take advantage of the financial opportunities that this program provides.” –Sophie Claire-Kanno, Rhode Island College | |
 |
“First and most importantly I would like to thank NSCS for choosing me as one of the Merit Award recipients. As an international student I am paying a lot of money for school but knowing that organizations like NSCS recognize my efforts is a great energy-boost. As a student at NOVA, I have found out that learning truly can be fun and I am enjoying my studies in the US a lot. I now know that once you’ve found your dream even the toughest way gets a little bit easier. I am thankful that NSCS is always supporting me in achieving my dreams.” -Sarah Schmidt, Northern Virginia Community College | |
 |
“Not only is it an honor to be chosen as a 2011 Merit Award recipient, it is also a real surprise. Knowing that students nationwide would be competing for this award, I did not think that my chances were very high, though I did hope. Receiving the award has made me feel that the time, effort, and scrifices I have made in order to excel academically and to continue in the pursuit of my career goals have bene worth it. For college students it is extremely hard to keep things in perspective and to balance school, work, home life, and social life; sometimes it can feel like we’re juggling while balancing on a hgih beam, but receiving recognition for our efforts is always wecome. Thus, I want to thank you for the great honor you have given me, it is most welcome and has reinvigorated me to continue working towards making my academic and professional dreams a reality.” –Jeanette Martinez, University of Puerto Rico- Rio Piedras Campus | |
 |
“I am honored to be a recipient of the 2011 Merit Award. I understand that attending college at this time can be very financially demanding. This award allows me to continue my wonderfully challenging and exciting education at Willamette University. I acknowledge that as a recipient, I am not only commended on my personal strive for academic excellence, but for my passion and commitment to service as well. I am honored by this confidence in my abilities and eager to make the most of this award.” –Caitlin Gibson, Willamette University | |
 |
“Reading the congratulatory letter from The National Society of Collegiate Scholars absolutely brightened my day! When I applied for the Merit Scholarship, I hoped and prayed that I would receive the scholarship money because I knew how much it would help my mom. Education has always been a top priority for me because I know that knowledge is valuable and it will help me achieve my goals. Receiving this scholarship brought me one step closer to my goals in life.” –Jankiben Patel, University of South Carolina, Columbia | |
 |
“Thank you very much for awarding me with the 2011 Merit Award. Your generosity is much appreciated. I am honored to be a selected recipient of this scholarship. I am much appreciative of the generous financial help that you have provided me with. The Merit Award has eased my concern and reassured the achievement of my goals.” – Nicole Ankenbrandt, Boise State University | |
 |
“Thank you for awarding me the Merit Award. This scholarship means a lot to me, just as any scholarship does in college. As a college student, I am faced with finding ways to pay for my schooling as the cost continues to increase. By awarding me this scholarship, you have helped relieve the burden of paying for school. Another reason why this scholarship is important to me is because I have been commended for the work I have done thus far in college. It is great to have assurance that you are doing something great. After being awarded this scholarship, I have fully realized that I am capable of not only achieving my dreams, but going beyond those dreams. My efforts may have gotten me the scholarship, but the scholarship is what is helping me to further these efforts and dare to achieve even more.” –Macy Warburton, Kansas State University | |
 |
“The Merit Award serves as a true testament to my commitment to NSCS’ standards of excellence and service. I feel so blessed to have the privilege to be a part of a community as exceptional as NSCS. Through my efforts, I hope to touch others lives and continue to live by NSCS’ mission to “Honor and inspire academic excellence and engaged citizenship” and encourage others to practice these virtues. The premise of shared humanity is the driving force in all facets of my life. As I go through life, I know my altruistic goals will continue to evolve, but my core belief that I can change another person’s life will remain with me forever. My message to my peers, students, and the world at large is that through the ideals of compassion, goodwill, and perseverance you have the power to elevate your life. I am extremely proud to be a part of NSCS and one of my goals is to raise social consciousness and tolerance for others.” –Brooke Schwartzman, University of Florida | |
 |
“Every college student is short on money. This is as close to being a fact as a broad generalization can be. It was in my best interest to apply for multiple scholarships in hopes of finding an organization that would be willing to help ease the pain of paying for an undergraduate education. After months of waiting for a response, I was rewarded with an email from the National Society of Collegiate Scholars notifying me that I had been chosen as a recipient of the NSCS Merit Award! Thanks to this scholarship, I will have $1000 less to pay once I graduate from the University of Vermont. Every little bit helps!” –Reed Hanson, University of Vermont | |
 |
“The NSCS Merit Scholarship means that I get to continue to do what I love at the school I love. Virginia Tech is my home, and I love my major as an architect. As an architect, I spend many long hours working in studio, and I can’t work very many hours a week. This scholarship allows me to continue my studies without the burden of additional debt, and for that I am extremely grateful.” –Gregory Dalfonzo, Virginia Polytechnic and State University | |
 |
“After recently being inducted into the National Society of Collegiate Scholars I have discovered what it means to honor, inspire, and engage. I have been selected as the Vice President of Planning to Achieve Collegiate Excellence where I send St. Louis University, NSCS members over to Long Middle School to mentor the students during their after school program. Through this experience, I have acquired a great amount of responsibility, but in the end I think it pays off upon receiving such a great scholarship like the Merit Award.” –Christopher DeMarco, St. Louis University | |
 |
“It is wonderful to be in an organization of such intelligent, motivated, and ambitious people. I appreciate the ethics NSCS represents and this scholarship becomes a reminder as to what I can achieve with my education.” –Kausar Mohammed, University of California, Los Angeles | |
 |
“It is an honor to be a recipient of the 2011 NSCS Merit Award. As a future educator, I hope to one day support and inspire young students just as NSCS has done for me. I see this scholarship as an opportunity for professional development, scholastic excellence, and a chance to explore education conferences and workshops. This scholarship will help me explore the many resources and networks that my university offers. Thank you for granting me this opportunity to continue learning and growing, NSCS!”-Mary Anne O’Brien, University of Texas at Austin | |